Chapter 24: 24
Zion had never used Exceed Rain in a real battle before. His handling of magic was still clumsy, and he knew he couldn’t wield Exceed Rain perfectly in his current state. However, if he could utilize Exceed Rain’s unique abilities, he might be able to at least keep the enemies at bay.
‘Can I use a sword aura?’
The sound of horses neighing erupted as the carriage came to an abrupt halt. The guards moved quickly, surrounding the carriage. Arrows flew from all directions, and masked assailants began to close in.
“… Stay inside, sister.”
“What are you planning to do?”
“I need to help.”
Zion exited the carriage, ignoring Hanette’s protests. She hesitated for a moment before following him.
“Hey, you crazy fool! Why are you going out there?”
“I told you to stay inside!”
“Why did both of you come out? You need to get back inside… Huff!”
One of the guards deflected an arrow with his magically enhanced blade. The other guards quickly gathered around them.
“Phew… Sister, you never listen, do you?”
Zion let his magic flow into his right hand, which began to glow with a golden hue that gradually turned into a violet hue, forming something tangible. Zion grasped the black hilt and steadied his stance.
“What… What is that?”
“I wouldn’t have come out if I wasn’t confident. Do you think I’d act recklessly?”
Zion poured more magic into Exceed Rain, causing it to shine brightly as the golden aura turned completely violet. The guards, caught off guard, began to realize what was happening.
“That’s…”
“If you recognize it, then make way. We need to reduce their numbers to have the upper hand.”
Zion pulled back his shoulder, gripping the hilt firmly. The violet blade flashed, combining with a black aura. Hanette could only watch in stunned silence.
‘Is he really going to use a sword aura?’
Seeing Zion’s concentrated magic, Hanette realized he wasn’t just channeling magic into the blade for close combat. The accumulated magic was vibrating irregularly, growing more vivid, indicating he was preparing to unleash a sword aura.
“Can you really do this?”
“I’ll know once I try.”
“But the sword…”
“Just point me in the right direction. I don’t want to waste my magic.”
Zion scanned the attackers, looking for an optimal target. The guards shielded him, allowing him a clear strike.
“Over there!”
“Looks good.”
With a nod to the guard captain, who pointed out a target, Zion prepared to strike. The guards cleared a path, and Exceed Rain unleashed a dark violet aura.
‘It’s working.’
Zion felt his magic deplete as the sword aura shot forward. Arrows disintegrated upon contact, and hastily cast spells couldn’t stop its advance. Created through Exceed Rain, the sword aura was exceptionally powerful.
“Argh!”
“Ugh!”
“Gah…”
Brief screams erupted as the aura sliced through enemies. Some tried to block it, but their bodies were quickly torn apart, leaving flesh and blood scattered.
Hanette, unable to bear the sight, turned away quickly.
“What’s the plan now?”
Zion, hidden behind a tree with the guards, asked.
Arrows had ceased flying, and the assailants who had been approaching the carriage had retreated. The sight of the sword aura had evidently made them realize they were up against a formidable opponent.
“Our mission is to ensure your safety. It would be better to retreat rather than pursue them, wouldn’t it?”
“That’s not a good option. If they pursue us, we’ll be at a disadvantage.”
“We can buy you time.”
“Buying time won’t be easy. Sacrificing yourselves doesn’t guarantee our escape… There could be a traitor among us.”
“A traitor?”
“How else would they know our location?”
“… Ah!”
The guard captain finally understood, swallowing hard. Someone in their group must have leaked their position, enabling the ambush.
“Nobody moves from now on. Anyone who moves is a traitor. Captain.”
“Yes.”
“The enemies are hiding, not retreating. There’s a reason for that.”
“… I agree.”
“If we retreat, they’ll chase us. If we pursue, we might fall into a trap. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
“Choose the person you trust most and send them to Kelydos. Tell them that if reinforcements are delayed, both the Duke and the Marquis won’t stand idly by.”
“Understood.”
Zion watched the captain, then moved close to Hanette. Even if the situation worsened, she could help keep the enemies at bay. However, she had to hide her magic abilities, so she couldn’t act openly.
“Sister, can you trust me?”
“Why ask that now?”
“You saw me use the sword aura, right? Do you trust me now?”
“If I had to trust someone, would it be you? How could I…”
Recalling the earlier scene, Hanette frowned. The aura Zion unleashed not only nullified arrows and spells but also decimated their enemies. She could barely watch, but Zion’s skills were undeniable.
“So, you don’t trust me?”
“… I’ll trust you. Just this once.”
“Your answer isn’t very reassuring.”
“I said I trust you.”
“Then stay behind me. I’ll keep you safe.”
“What about you?”
“Do I have to repeat myself? I said I’m confident.”
Zion turned fully to the captain, adjusting his grip on Exceed Rain. If the captain were a traitor, he would have issued covert commands. Instead, he openly communicated within view, indicating he wasn’t a traitor.
“I’ll tell you now. If anyone acts suspicious, capture them. If you can’t, kill them. Understand?”
“Yes!”
“Zion, I sent the guard as instructed.”
Zion nodded, watching the departing guard. The captain’s judgment should ensure the chosen guard was trustworthy.
‘We could escape first, but that’s not right.’
Their current advantage was due to his display of the sword aura. Few knights could use it, and the guards were protecting them. The attackers were hesitant, but their mission to kill Hanette kept them from retreating.
If they fled, the guards might be slaughtered, or the enemies might pursue them. They needed to hold their ground.
‘To use another aura, I need to recharge.’
Creating an aura with his current magic reserves was a miracle. If he overexerted, his body wouldn’t withstand it. However, there was a way to recharge quickly, tied to Exceed Rain’s unique abilities.
‘The more magic I expend, the stronger its abilities become… I should be fine.’
Exceed Rain possessed various abilities beyond sword aura creation. While other Magic Swords had specific elemental powers, Exceed Rain had a broader range, befitting its title as the Dark Magic Sword.
“Sister, I should have asked earlier, but won’t you flee alone?”
“… Didn’t you say to trust you?”
“I should’ve asked first.”
“I won’t go. I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“I’d rather die than be known as someone who abandoned her fiancé.”
“Heh, that’s like you.”
“Besides, these guards are from my family. I can forgive dying to protect me, but I can’t forgive abandoning them.”
The guards overheard and felt a surge of emotion. They had been ordered to protect the Crazy Young Lady and her fiancé. Despite the rumors, she rarely caused trouble. Now, she called them her family’s knights, and they were moved by her words.
“You have a sense of duty.”
“Duty or not, isn’t it obvious?”
“They aren’t your knights. Technically, they’re Duke Adelaira’s knights.”
“Now they’re protecting me. So they’re my knights.”
“Hmm… Makes sense.”
Zion nodded, watching the enemies. They wouldn’t hold off for long. A guard had gone for reinforcements, and the enemies assumed he could use more sword auras. The attackers had to choose between completing their mission or surviving.
“Do we have any bows and arrows?”
“No. Do you want armor?”
“You’ll be fighting up front. I can’t take that.”
“We’re willing to die fighting…”
“No life is meant to be lost. You heard my sister, right? We all survive together.”
“…”
The captain gripped his hilt tightly, ready for battle. Zion and Hanette had given up fleeing to protect them. While they were prepared for death, the couple wouldn’t allow it. They would fight with all they had to make their sacrifice count.
“Let’s wait. If we drag this out, we gain the advantage.”
“They’re the ones in a hurry.”
“Right. My presence changed the situation.”
“If it gets worse, we might flee.”
“That would be best. We can’t pursue…”
Zion’s expression soured as he noticed something. Flames began to shoot from the enemies’ hiding spots. Despite the distance, they used magic, determined to complete their mission.
“What should we do?”
“… Prepare to retreat. Just prepare.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ll try to block it.”
Zion answered calmly, moving forward. Hanette grabbed his clothes, pulling him back.
“What? Are you crazy?”
“Sister, what did I say earlier?”
“… I trust you, but this is too much!”
“Trust me this once. I’m certain.”
Zion gently held Hanette’s hand, smiling. She hesitated but eventually let go.
“Flames are coming!”
The magical flames closed in quickly. Zion waited until they neared, then swung Exceed Rain. The violet blade shimmered, absorbing the flames.
“… Huh?”
“Wha…?”
“Huh!”
“…?”
The guards gasped in awe. Hanette had been preparing to cast a spell but stopped. Zion fully extinguished the flames with Exceed Rain.
‘So this is magic absorption. No wonder the protagonist struggled against it.’